Here’s something I didn’t know: from India’s Business Standard yesterday –

Indian ADRs on NYSE Euronext trade at 10% premium

The bonding between Indian companies and NYSE Euronext has got further reinforced with the American Depository Receipts (ADRs) of these companies listed on the global stock exchange commanding an excellent average premium of 10.2 per cent over their underlying ordinary shares in the domestic market in 2009, an exchange release said.

Ten out of 13 Indian companies listed on NYSE Euronext platform trade in the form of ADRs on NYSE Euronext markets. These companies include Dr. Reddy’s, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL), Patni Computer Systems, Mahindra Satyam, Sterlite Industries, Tata Communications, Tata Motors and Wipro.

The other three companies – Genpact, WNS and Yatra Capital – are traded in the form of ordinary shares. The combined market capitalization of all 13 Indian companies listed on NYSE Euronext as of December 31, 2009 was at $111 billion, a gain of $57 billion over prior year.

Access to various strata of investors at the global level provided an unbeatable edge for these ADRs enabling these companies to set new benchmarks for others to follow. The premium growth trail continued to pick up year after year, over the last three years. From 5.1 per cent of average premium in 2007, they together scaled to 6.1 per cent the next year, only to take a leap to 10.2 per cent of average premium in 2009.

Prominent among the gainers was, the US-dollar denominated ADRs of HDFC Bank, listed on NYSE, gained 82.2 per cent, compared to 70.4 per cent gain in their underlying rupee-denominated shares during the year. ADRs of Dr Reddy’s posted a gain of 147 per cent against 143.5 per cent in its underlying shares. India’s second largest bank, ICICI Bank ADRs also edged above its underlying.

“NYSE Euronext has provided us with a leading presence and outstanding visibility in the global markets, and we look forward to celebrating our 10th anniversary of NYSE listing in October 2010. Besides enhancing our brand in key regions, the NYSE listing has given us access to a more diverse base of global investors to meet our growing capital needs,” said Mr. Suresh Senapaty, Chief Financial Officer, Wipro Limited. “And since IFRS is now accepted in the U.S., our listing and compliance requirements have been simplified, saving us considerable time and money.”

Stock premium, enhanced brand, simplified listing and compliance requirements, lower costs — it adds up to a compelling story for why these Indian issues have chosen to list here.

Welcome to Wednesday, folks. Three of the many important things that happened on this date in history (hat tip: New York Times): industrialist Thomas Watson, who built IBM, was born on this date in 1874; President Nixon embarked on his historic trip to China on this date in 1972; and Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day was born 38 years ago today. There’s a lot more on the first two items at the Times link; the third might not be in the same category, but hey, I have “American Idiot” on my mp3, not old Richard Nixon speeches. There’s a time and place for everything, right?